Luke Littler returned to action less than 24 hours after winning the World Grand Prix and beating the world number one, Luke Humphries, in the process
Luke Littler turned down the opportunity to take a well-deserved rest after his first World Grand Prix victory. Instead of kicking back, the world champ has stepped up to compete in a PDC World Youth Championship qualifier in Wigan on Monday.
Littler trounced Luke Humphries 6-1 in the final at Leicester Arena on Sunday, clinching five out of six sets in nail-biting final-leg deciders. Fresh off his seventh major televised win on the PDC circuit, the teenage prodigy confirmed he would be back in action the very next day.
“I’ll head to the World Youths tomorrow and see everyone and have a bit of fun,” Littler shared with Sky Sports on Sunday evening. “I don’t think anyone is going to be my friend tomorrow, but it’s 20 minutes up the road, and I will try my best.
“I could have had the day off, but why not? Play the World Youth, then two [PDC] ProTours in Wigan and have the weekend off.”
‘The Nuke’ decided to sit out last year’s tournament for players under 24, despite being the reigning champion. In his absence, Gian van Veen, whom Littler defeated 6-4 in the 2023 final, walked away with the title, and the Dutch player also participated in Monday’s qualifier.
The pair put on a thrilling show in the opening round of the World Grand Prix, which Littler won 2-0 in just 11 minutes. This victory set the young star on course for a giant £120,000 cheque and helped him close the gap in prize money to world number one Humphries.
Littler, during a press conference afterwards, mentioned the world rankings race, saying: “This is my time and I’ve just got to keep going. Obviously, until I get that world number one spot, I will never call myself the best in the world.
“Whoever’s number one, they’re the best. But knowing I’m only £70,000 in prize money behind Luke, and then he’s got to defend all of his prize money from the Grand Prix, the Players Championships and the World Championship.
“I don’t want to think about it too much, but I could be world number one before that World Championship. I’ve just got to keep chucking away and put as much pressure as I can on Luke.”
The World Youth Championship features a total prize fund of £100,000, with the overall winner claiming £12,000. Both sums have risen since 2023, when Littler last competed, having previously secured a £10,000 cheque from a total pool of £60,000.
However, Littler had to first earn a place amongst the top two players in Monday’s qualifier at Robin Park Leisure Centre.
The top two players from each group advance to the knockout stages. And Littler ultimately progressed through to the last 64 after three straight wins in the round-robin phase, as did Beau Greaves, Cam Crabtree and Van Veen.
Two finalists progress to next month’s World Youth Championship final, which will be played at Butlin’s Minehead Resort on Sunday, November 23.
That coincides with the Players Championship, which takes place between the semi-finals and the final of that tournament. Littler finished as runner-up to Humphries last year.